The NBA playoffs are only a week away and there is a lingering question in Chicago: Can the Chicago Bulls make a deep postseason run? Along with that, they are facing several other unanswered questions.

Clarification is a must between now and the second-season for the Bulls’ unknown entities.

The year has been a roller-coaster ride. Some of the things that have happened were just short of sideshow status. The problems created though, were self-inflicted.

Are you familiar with the phrase “stop standing in your own way”?

Several issues that the Bulls have had, they can blame themselves. There are clear indications that they keep interrupting their potential success with every problem they conjure up.

Time is running out to search for solutions. The team must recognize the problems first.

Their Handling of Rose’s Injury

Is it just me, or has the coverage of the Derrick Rose recovery from knee surgery become the sideshow to the Chicago Bulls’ circus?

First, an article from USA Today stating that Rose has said that he will not return until he is 110 percent ready was released.

That story came and then passed, but Rose’s older brother and manager Reggie spoke out to ESPNChicago.com about the team’s roster moves.

What came afterwards was Derrick defending his team publicly.

After that, a source from the organization stated that Rose received the medical clearance (via ESPNChicago.com) to play again. What we are left with is the constant, “will he, won’t he” stories that have left fans resenting the story all together.

Source: Derrick Rose has been cleared to play, but wants to confidently dunk off left foot before returning » es.pn/14DnlqE

What the Bulls have not done is to take control of the story before it got out of hand.

Not only has this done Rose a disservice, it has hurt the rest of the team.

The healthy players did not deserve the distraction that the story has caused.

Reggie Rose’s comments came on February 22, the day of the NBA trade deadline. The Bulls have been a below .500 basketball team ever since, with a 12-13 record.

Beforehand, they were 31-23.

The team brass should have handled this story, along with the others and nipped it in the bud. Instead, they kept the media frenzy going, leaving Thibodeau to face a litany of questions regarding Rose.

Thibodeau also deserves better.

The Bulls have handled this completely wrong. This problem could have led to a worse outcome.

Credit goes to Thibodeau and the rest of the roster for getting this far.